IFE PsychologIA

Awareness of mental illness and it’s predictors among residents of urban communities in a north-western state of Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

HH Murtala — 2024-06-25

Background: Nigeria is a multi-ethnic country with a rich mix of cultures, traditions, customs, and beliefs. These divergent cultural backgrounds significantly influence public awareness of mental health issues.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to determine the level of awareness of mental illness and its predictors among adults in north-western Nigeria.

Method: A cross-sectional study design was adopted to interview 407 respondents recruited using multistage sampling technique. Data were obtained using structured questionnaire. These were organized and analysed using SPSS version 20, and the results were summarized using frequency distribution tables, percentages. The regression analysis coefficient was used to predict the level of awareness of mental illness based on socio-demographic variables.

Results: The majority of respondents (47.3%) had a high level of awareness of mental illness in the community. When comparing the calculated slope to a slope of zero, the B coefficient for age, gender, religion, and ethnicity has a p-value of 0.0001, indicating that there is a statistically significant difference.

Conclusion: Age, gender, religion, and level of education were identified as significant predictors of mental illness awareness in the study. Efforts to improve community education and mental health literacy can improve mental health, attitudes toward mental illness, and reduce stigma.

Multidimensional treatment for ASPD co-morbid with substance abuse: Efficacy of MET and CBT in a case study

Faizu Olalekan Sanusi — 2024-06-25

Background: This case study explores the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) in a 20-year-old female referred to as B.Q., who presented with comorbid substance abuse and high impulsivity.

Methods: Psychological assessments, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2), Barrat Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11), and Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), were administered to evaluate B.Q.'s psychological profile and substance abuse patterns. Being raped by 3 men in a suburb closer to the school was said to have precipitated Substance use. A multidimensional treatment approach incorporating Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) was employed.

Results: The findings underscore the significance of considering both personality traits and specific symptoms in the diagnosis and treatment of ASPD which remains one of the most poorly understood and understudied mental disorders in psychiatry and accounting for 2-5% of the general population as its diagnosis is complex, requires a comprehensive assessment of an individual's behavior patterns, personality traits, and history of conduct problems. The study demonstrates the effectiveness of a multidimensional treatment approach, with MET addressing ambivalence and CBT targeting thought pattern modification, mood improvement, and daily functioning. B.Q. exhibited substantial improvements in psychopathic traits and mood instability, as evidenced by reductions in Psychopathic Deviate scores from baseline (M = 46, T = 113) to T3 (M = 36, t = 82), and decreases in Hypomania scores from baseline (M = 36, T = 98) to T3 (M = 28, t = 72). Moreover, BIS-11 data revealed significant reductions in impulsivity dimensions from baseline (Total Impulsiveness: M = 71) to T3 (Total Impulsiveness: M = 27), indicating reduced impulsivity. ASSIST data indicated effective interventions for substance abuse, with substance use declining from T1 (Total Substance Use: M = 45) to T3 (Total Substance Use: M = 20).

Conclusion: These results provide valuable insights for clinical practice, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive assessments and tailored treatment plans for individuals with ASPD and comorbid substance abuse. Further research is recommended to validate and expand upon these findings, with a focus on long-term treatment outcomes and underlying neurobiological mechanisms of ASPD.

Deployment experiences, moral injury and posttraumatic stress disorder as predictors of sexual performance problems among Nigerian army veterans

Hauwa Mary Aigboje — 2024-06-25

Recent research indicates increasing sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction and sexual dissatisfaction among military veterans worldwide. However, little is known about factors that constitute risk, especially among veterans in Nigeria. This research examined the predictive role of combat experiences, moral injury and PTSD on sexual performance problems (erectile dysfunction and sexual dissatisfaction) in Nigerian Army Veterans. The design for the study was an ex-post facto that employed cross-sectional survey to purposively sample 228 military veterans with previous history of combat deployment in the North East. Eligible participants responded to measures of demographics/ military characteristics and standardized instruments that assessed deployment experiences, moral injury and sexual performance problems. Data were analysed using multiple regression statistics at .05 level of statistical significance. Findings showed that combat experiences have a significant independent influence on sexual dissatisfaction but not on erectile dysfunction. Similarly, moral injury was a significant independent predictor of sexual dissatisfaction but not erectile dysfunction. However, PTSD was an insignificant factor in explaining reported sexual performance problems in the veterans but together with combat experiences and moral injury jointly predicted the two sexual performance problems. These results indicate that combat experiences and moral injury are significant factors in sexual problems among Nigerian veterans and therefore should be addressed through sensitization, provision of emotional support, so as to make veterans overcome the challenge and improve on their post-deployment sexual life and operational efficiency.

Locus of control and impulsivity as correlates of substance use disorder among outpatients in a psychiatric hospital

Uzochukwu N. Israel — 2024-06-25

Substance use disorder has been identified as an emerging national health concern especially amongst young people. Some of the drugs listed under this category of disorder have been identified to be the leading causes of death and psychopathology in the world. Locus of control and impulsivity have been shown to be correlates of substance use disorder. This study aims to assess and evaluate locus of control and impulsivity as correlates of substance use disorder amongst 113 (comprising 102 males and 11 females) outpatients diagnosed with substance use disorder in a Federal Neuropsychiatric hospital in Lagos, Nigeria. Three instruments - the Drug Abuse Screening Test 10 (DAST); the 21-item Barratt Impulsiveness Scale-Revised (BIS-R-21) and Nowicki-Strickland Locus of Control Scale (N-SLCS) were used to gather the data for the study. Three hypotheses were proposed and tested. The data was collected using cross sectional survey research design and analysed using descriptive statistics, correlational analysis and regression. The results showed that there was a significant positive correlation between locus of control and substance use disorder; also there was a significant positive correlation between impulsivity and substance use disorder and there was a joint positive correlation between locus of control, impulsivity and substance use disorder. There was also a predominance of substance use disorder in males than females and also amongst younger participants. It was recommended that there was the need for close persons, parents, significant others and Health care providers to teach children and other young people to take responsibility for their actions and to learn how to delay gratification from an early age as most people with substance use disorder attributed the cause of their disorder to either the influence of friends, parents or other external and environmental factors outside of themselves.

Emotional disposition as correlate of antisocial personality disorders among incarcerated youths in Benue and Nasarawa States Nigeria

Comfort Iveren Atser — 2024-06-25

The study investigated Emotional Disposition as a correlate of the development of antisocial personality disorders among Incarcerated Youths in Benue and Nasarawa States. It was guided by four research questions and corresponding hypotheses. The study utilized a correlation survey research design with a sample of 502 incarcerated youths from prisons in Benue and Nasarawa States. A 19 item self-developed questionnaire titled Emotional Disposition, and Antisocial Personality Scale (EDAPS) was used for data collection. The data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) wherein the Pearson Product Moment Correlation statistics was used to determine the simple correlation and regression between emotional disposition (ED) and antisocial personality disorders (ASPD) to answer the research questions while Multiple correlation/Regression analysis was used to test the corresponding hypotheses at 0.05% level of significance. Findings indicate that there was a significant relationship between emotional disposition (ED) and antisocial personality disorders (ASPD). Based on the findings it was recommended among other things that Parents should be mindful of children’s emotional dispositions and shun negative labeling, name calling, harsh criticisms as well as coercive disciplinary practices that likely interact with precarious emotional dispositions to create fertile grounds for the development of ASPD among young persons. The role and pattern of counselling interventions for antisocial youths in incarceration and those in the general population and schools were also highlighted to include legislative and advocacy for school-based initiatives of integrating emotional intelligence content into the curriculum.

Pragmatic analysis of Àgàtú personal names

Ngbede John Oyishoma — 2024-06-25

This paper entitled ‘Pragmatic analysis of Àgàtú Personal Names’ aims at filling the gap of the near absence of semantic and pragmatic studies in the Àgàtú dialect of Ídómà. Oral interviews and researchers’ observation were deployed for the collection of data from Àgàtú LGA of Benue State. This study selected fourty-five (45) Àgàtú personal names using Lawal’s (1997) ‘aspects of a pragmatic theory’ for analysis. The study has classified Àgàtú names into nine different name types depicting different contexts in which personal naming takes place in Àgàtú and this largely depends on the circumstance or situation surrounding the birth of a child, the psychology of the parents and sometimes the cosmological context, expressing the world view of the parents. The situations surrounding the birth of a child may include his/her family background, family history, culture and religion of the parents, advice or even caution from the parents or name giver. The data analyses show that Àgàtú personal names reflect connection between context and meaning. For one to fully explicate the meaning of Àgàtú personal names, one has to understand the culture of Àgàtú and have the background information that explains the contextual meaning of names. This study has laid a foundation for further work in the linguistics, cultural studies and Àgàtú documentation.

Liquidity management and entrepreneurial performance of selected indigenous oil and gas firms in Nigeria

Yetunde Olowu — 2024-06-25

The study investigates the impact of liquidity management on the entrepreneurial performance of indigenous oil and gas firms in Nigeria. It employs both qualitative and quantitative evaluation techniques, focusing on liquidity management indicators such as the current ratio, acid test ratio, and net working capital ratio. Primary data is collected through interviews with key informants from selected firms. The qualitative findings underscore the importance of monitoring financial health and strategic planning within oil and gas firms. However, the quantitative analysis reveals a statistically significant negative relationship between liquidity management and firm growth, indicating that an increase in liquidity management indicators correlates with a decrease in firm growth. Specifically, a unit increase in employment and wealth results in a substantial increase in liquidity management indicators but a significant decrease in firm growth. Based on these findings, the study recommends policy interventions to enhance liquidity management competencies, including fostering knowledge exchange, providing training, and investing in technology research and development. By improving domestic competencies in the downstream sector, firms can better navigate liquidity challenges and support entrepreneurial growth in the oil and gas industry

Jesus “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6): The rhetoric of a funeral homily

Anthony Naaeke — 2024-06-25

For many Catholics in Ghana, one way of dealing with death and grief is the celebration of Mass, also called Holy Eucharist, or a prayer service with the homily serving as both a religious and rhetorical act of teaching and consolation from a Christian perspective. This paper engaged in a rhetorical analysis of a funeral homily of a Ghanaian statesperson, using metaphoric analysis as a unit of analysis, and drew conclusions on the meaning of the metaphors “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” expressed by Jesus in John 14:6 especially as these metaphors relate to human conduct, belief, and hope of a Christian. To write this analysis the author watched the funeral celebration of the late Theresa Aba Kufuor, former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, published on YouTube, several times and concentrated on the homily delivered by the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, and drew some conclusions about the efficacy of the rhetorical act of the homily.

Notes on women's rights violations in Ghana

Samuel Adu-Gyamfi — 2024-06-25

The violation of women’s rights is a global issue that has become pervasive in contemporary times. This write-up presents a review of related literature to ascertain the various gaps in the literature and to add to existing knowledge. It reviews materials such as articles, books, and policy documents grounded in some conceptual framing. The findings from the review argue, among other things, the view that women’s rights violations can cause psychological trauma and other forms of psychological problems in the lives of women, particularly in Ghana. Again, the findings highlight or confirm the major health risks associated with women’s rights violations such as preterm labour and miscarriage. Therefore, it can be argued that there is the need for persistent engagements to reduce the burden of such risks, on women within the Ghanaian community.

Dilemmas in counselling sexual minorities in Ghana: Ethical stances and counsellors’ perception

Cecilia Tutu-Danquah — 2024-06-25

Given the current state of affairs in Ghana as regards the intention to pass the "anti-homosexuality bill and the negativities associated with the LGBTQIA+ individuals (sexual minorities), it is unclear whether Ghanaian counsellors are willing to serve sexual minority clients. Ascertaining their perceptions and ethical stances would inform best practice. This study, explored counsellors’ perspectives about the sexual minority group and investigated factors that influence their decision to serve them. Materials and methods: A validated questionnaire was used in a cross-sectional survey involving 250 stratified counsellors. Data were analysed with frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson Product Moment correlation and multinomial logistic regression. Results: The finding showed that although most Ghanaian counsellors perceived sexual minority act as immoral, they did not have any ethical dilemma as regarding service provision for them. While the counsellors’ personal values did not statistically significantly associate with their willingness to serve sexual minority clients, their cultural or religious values did positively. Furthermore, Ghanaian counsellors’ willingness to serve sexual minority clients was negatively influenced by sex and positively by years of counselling experience. Conclusion and recommendations: The study concludes that although the counsellors uphold their ethical stance to provide services to sexual minority clients, their cultural or religious values, sex and years of practise influence their willingness to serve them. The study recommends the establishment of codes of ethics which are cultural and religious sensitive and also addresses the personal values in such matters.

Interrogating gendered stereotypes and job satisfaction in the professional arena

M. M. Adesemowo — 2024-06-25

Gender inequality is a prominent phenomenon that connotes amongst others unconscious bias, under-representation of women by men in every sphere of life including the professional arena. The accounting profession is a stable and growing arena that offers strong earning potentials that demand high level of integrity, accuracy and continuous on-the-job learning to its members. Studies have shown that female accountants are less satisfied with their job and also do not often attain higher organizational positions as hoped. This paper seeks to examine the job satisfaction of women accountants using twelve (12) job satisfaction indices. And also, if the female or male accountants are better promoters of the accounting profession using the employee net promoter score (eNPS). The study employed survey research design. The target population of study consists of chartered accountants registered with The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design through the administration of questionnaire. The findings of the study revealed a negative relationship between gender stereotypes and job satisfaction of professional accountants in Ogun State, Nigeria. The study therefore recommends that the negative effect of gender stereotypes of women professional accountants in Ogun State Nigeria be curtailed.

Interrogating the relationship between multiple intelligence patterns and academic performance among pre-service teachers

Kwaku Darko Amponsah — 2024-06-25

This study investigated the views of University of Ghana pre-service teachers (PSTs), on the impact of multiple intelligences (MI) on learning and its relationship to academic success. The research aimed to comprehend how PSTs view MI and its influence on learning, look at disparities in these views between genders, analyse the connection between PSTs' views of MI and their academic performance, investigate how gender influences this relationship, and find the differences between STEM and non-STEM pre-service teachers regarding this perception and the effect of MI on learning. We gathered primary data from a sample of PSTs using a structured questionnaire, a cross-sectional design, and a quantitative research methodology. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics, independent samples t-test, Pearson product-moment correlation, and dichotomous moderated multiple regression analysis. The results show that PSTs have differing opinions on the various forms of intelligence and that there is a weakly positive correlation (r =.152) between PSTs' opinions of MI and academic achievement. Also, STEM pre-service teachers perceived the impact of MI on learning much more than their non-STEM counterparts (t = -4.262, df = 373, p < 0.001), and gender had no discernible moderating influence on this relationship ( (F(1, 271) = 1.174, p =.279). The study advises promoting inclusive teaching methods that consider students' varied intelligences. The study's conclusions highlight how important it is for teacher preparation programmes to include knowledge and comprehension of MI theory in their curricula to better prepare teachers for various learning situations.